Guard against Deception

 “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, when Jesus sat on the mount of Olives overlooking the temple in Jerusalem, “Jesus answered, “At that time deception will run rampant. So beware that you’re not fooled! For many will appear on the scene claiming my authority or saying about themselves, ‘I am God’s Anointed,’ and they will lead many astray. You will hear rumors of wars nearby, with more rumors of wars to come. Make sure that you are not thrown into a panic or give in to your fears, for these things are destined to happen. Prepare for it, but still the end is not yet.”  Jesus prepared us for the times we’re living in.  Many will speak on behalf the Lord Jesus Christ but without the fruit of people coming into the Kingdom of God through the Gospel.  The strategy of satan is the same today as before, to make people believe a lie.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY  way to salvation but the compromise of this truth is so rampant that it puts the Cross of Christ to no effect.  The bleeding Christ on the Cross is a sign of weakness to the world but to us who believe, it is the power of God to salvation.  Sin is not a problem to the world but that is the reason why God came into the world to deal with it.  Anyone who indulges in sin lives in moral anarchy, for the definition of sin is breaking God’s law.  God’s commandment is what Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  It is the lack of love that causes hate, fear, wars and destruction.  Let’s believe Jesus and walk in faith, hope and love; the greatest power is love that forgave us our sins.  Amen!

Wisdom & Understanding is a Gift in God’s Word

 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, Forsake ye not my law. Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The wisdom from above says, “Listen to my correction, my sons, for I speak to you as your father. Let discernment enter your heart and you will grow wise with the understanding I impart. My revelation-truth is a gift to you, so remain faithful to my instruction. So make wisdom your quest— search for the revelation of life’s meaning. Don’t let what I say go in one ear and out the other.”  We listen to God’s Word as though it is Jesus Christ speaking directly to us.  He is the Everlasting Father and we are called His sons.  Truly the Scriptures are a gift to us.  No other generation has had the availability of the Word of God with such ease as this generation.  It is however the revelation of the truth of God’s Word that is a gift and comes to us through our meditating on it day and night and doing what it says - that’s the secret of success in life.  The more time we spend with our Lord Jesus, the more we will receive revelation as Peter, James and John were revealed the glory of God at the mount when Jesus was transfigured and they heard the Father’s voice. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.  But of Him we are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.  Amen!

The Kingdom of God is a Present Reality

 “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “When Jesus noticed how thoughtfully and sincerely the man answered, He said to him, “You’re not far from the reality of God’s kingdom.” After that, no one dared to question him again.”  Jesus tells the man that the Kingdom of God is within reach.  It is a present reality, not just a far-off concept.  The religious scholars were hawk-eyed concerning Jesus, always questioning His authority and His interpretation of Scripture.  They taught a theology without the reality of Christ, the Messiah.  Today many preachers are caught in the trap of preaching and teaching Christ without a personal relationship with Him.  There is no fruit in such preaching and teaching.  Every teaching of the Kingdom of God needs to be weighed by the reality of Christ, not the traditions of men.  The fruit comes when we understand our mission is to open the eyes so that many may turn from darkness to light and from the kingdom of satan to the Kingdom of God; and that they may receive forgiveness of all their sins and have a place among those who are set apart for a holy purpose through having faith in the risen Christ Jesus.  Amen!

Jesus Christ to us is Wisdom, Health & Freedom from Sin

 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Proverbs is the wisdom we have in Christ, “Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore Him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong. Then you will find the healing refreshment your body and spirit long for.”  Fearing the LORD is making a will decision to avoid everything wrong and to depart from evil, so that we can love and adore Him with true focus, not distracted by anything or anyone.  The knowledge that God gives through His Word is amazing!  Health is in our navel as every baby in the womb gets the blood supply through the navel.  New cells are made in the marrow of our bones.  As the navel and bones picture the life flow of our bodies, so the navel and bones are a picture of our inner being.  Jesus told us “Believe in Me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!” Jesus was prophesying about the Holy Spirit that believers were being prepared to receive. But the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out upon them, because Jesus had not yet been unveiled in His full splendor.”  Because of faith in the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Holy Spirit came to dwell in us so that our inner being is empowered by resurrection power of our Lord Jesus.  Let’s keep ourselves focused on adoring our Lord Jesus so that we walk in the divine resurrection power given to us by faith.  Amen!

Fruitful Lives in Christ

 “and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark wrote, “He noticed a leafy fig tree in the distance, so he walked over to see if there was any fruit on it, but there was none—only leaves (for it wasn’t yet the season for bearing figs).”  The fig tree is first mention when Adam and Eve used fig leaves as a “covering” to hide their nakedness when they fell into sin.  It also became a hiding place for Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus.  The tree with leaves but no fruit can also be a symbol of the religious system that was in Israel at that time.  From here Jesus went  to drive out the money changers from the temple, who were rotten fruit.  Jesus said, “For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.”  Jesus ensured through the Feast of Firstfruits that the Holy Spirit will empower every believer to have a fruitful life.  The Holy Spirit helps us to abide in Jesus Who said, ““I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”  Let’s be the fruitful branch that bears much fruit.  Amen!

Faithful to the New Covenant of our God

 “To deliver thee from the strange woman, Even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The wisdom from above says, “Only wisdom can save you from the flattery of the promiscuous woman— she’s such a smooth-talking seductress! She left her husband and has forgotten her wedding vows.”  Clearly a warning to all those who commit adultery, though there is a deeper meaning here.  The book of Proverbs tells us of two women: the adulteress and the virtuous woman at the end of this book.  Both are a parable of two systems in the Church.  One is religious and alluring, tempting the young anointed ones to come to her “bed” of compromise, and which nullifies the Word of God.  The other is the holy Bride, virtuous and pure, keeping her first love of her “wedding vows” to Christ alone.  Her “house” is the House of the Lord.  One system brings shame and despair and the other brings favour, honour and glory.  It is wisdom that protects us from one and unites us to the other.  As we approach the end of this age, may we be the faithful ones who are victorious as we persevere for our faith and may our names be found in the Book of Life.  Amen!

Bless the Children and the Coming Generations

 “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark wrote, “The parents kept bringing their little children to Jesus so that He would lay His hands on them and bless them. But the disciples kept rebuking and scolding the people for doing it. When Jesus saw what was happening, He became indignant with His disciples and said to them, “Let all the little children come to Me and never hinder them! Don’t you know that God’s kingdom exists for such as these? Listen to the truth I speak: Whoever does not open their arms to receive God’s kingdom like a teachable child will never enter it.” Then He embraced each child, and laying His hands on them, He lovingly blessed each one.”  The laying on of Jesus’s hands was the impartation of a blessing.  Parents should always bring their children to be blessed by Jesus as it is His desire to bless children.  The disciples could not see people the way Jesus sees them.  We, who have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus and know that the resurrected Christ dwells in us, must needs release His blessing especially on children even today.  We are blessed to bless others especially children.  Amen!

True Wisdom

 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Solomon has written most of these wise sayings.  “We cross the threshold of true knowledge when we live in obedient devotion to God. Stubborn know-it-alls will never stop to do this, for they scorn true wisdom and knowledge. Pay close attention, my child, to your father’s wise words and never forget your mother’s instructions. For their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions.”  The “fear of the Lord” implies submission, awe, worship and reverence.  You will pass from darkness to wisdom’s light by the “fear” of the Lord.  A fool is one who hates true wisdom and correction, with no desire to acquire revelation knowledge.  What will bring us wisdom is the words of our Father (God) and our mother (the Church, the freewoman - as we’re the seed of Abraham, the children of promise like Isaac the child of promise).  The adornment on our neck is our willing obedience that guides our decision, in contrast to being stiff-necked or proud.  Let’s submit to the Holy Spirit in surrender as He leads us to do God’s will.  Amen!

See God’s Kingdom Powerfully in Christ

 “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭KIV

Mark recorded, “Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, there are some standing here now who won’t experience death until they see God’s kingdom realm manifest with power!” After six days, Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, Jacob and John, and hiked up a high mountain to be alone. And Jesus’ appearance was dramatically altered, for he was transfigured before their very eyes! His clothing sparkled and became glistening white—whiter than any bleach in the world could make them. Then suddenly, right in front of them, Moses and Elijah appeared, and they spoke with Jesus.”  This manifestation of the power of the Kingdom of God is seen in three dimensions as - Jesus’s transfiguration and the appearing of Moses and Elijah on the mountain; Jesus’s resurrection and ascension into glory inaugurating a new era of God’s Kingdom power; the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which brought to birth the Church of Jesus Christ and extending the Kingdom of God to all the earth. Jesus said that the good news of the kingdom of God will be spread all over the world, and may we co-labour with God to increase it in our generation.  Amen!

Let Everyone Breathe Praises to the LORD

 “Let every thing that hath breath Praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭150‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This the last of the Hallelujah psalms to commemorate the second temple, “Let everyone everywhere join in the crescendo of ecstatic praise to Yahweh! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!”  When the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, man became a living being.  The breath that mankind has to live on planet earth, is from God.  But when sin came and tarnished mankind, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to planet earth to make us new creatures to bring the Kingdom of God to this planet earth.  So Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again…born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, now the Spirit of life breathes into us and liberates us from sin and death.  This is the breath as a new creation, that causes us to praise God with all our being.  Now the Spirit that God breathed into our hearts is a jealous Lover who intensely desires to have more and more of us.  That is why we praise Him with all our being.  Amen!